Chance
Chasing Destiny: Blood Orange's Anthem of Struggle and Resilience
Lyrics
Genesis, chapter eleven, verse ten
Refers to Genesis 11:10, discussing the genealogy of Shem.
Explains the genealogy of Shem
Continuation of the explanation of Shem's genealogy.
Shem was a black man, in Africa
States Shem was a black man in Africa, highlighting racial identity.
If you repeat this fact, they can't laugh at ya
Suggests that acknowledging Shem's race prevents ridicule or mockery.
Seem to not take it too well
People seem uncomfortable when told Shem's race isn't the reason for a downfall.
When I tell you that it's not the reason I fell
Emphasizes that personal struggles, not race, led to the speaker's difficulties.
Then you know just how he felt, uh
Compares the feelings to those of another person, indicating empathy.
When you look at how you gave enough chance to sell
Reflects on opportunities given, suggesting disappointment in the outcome.
All I ever wanted was a chance for myself
Expresses a desire for personal opportunities and a chance at success.
Why the fuck do you even speak? Uh
Questions the necessity of speaking, perhaps in the face of adversity.
It's not a choice of speech, and it sure ain't free, mm
Speech is not a simple choice and often comes with a cost.
Wear your braids to keep your edge, uh
Encourages individuality, symbolized by wearing braids to maintain uniqueness.
Stay in your corner, fuck you up, we lost our chill, uh
Advises staying true to oneself despite external pressures and aggression.
All you ever wanted was a chance for yourself, uh
Reiterates the desire for personal opportunities in the face of challenges.
To represent a thing that we have started to build
Expresses the desire to represent a collective effort that has been initiated.
Why refresh your soul and my spirit for them?
Raises a question about the motivation to refresh one's spirit for others.
All I ever wanted was a chance for myself
Restates the longing for individual opportunities and personal success.
Been chewed up but it makes you proud
Describes enduring challenges but finding pride in resilience.
You're the dark skinned nigga in a sold-out crowd
Highlights being a dark-skinned individual in a crowd, potentially feeling isolated.
Lookin' at the girl with the thick, blonde braids
Observation of a girl with distinct features, possibly representing diversity.
And you're tryin' to make out what her T-shirt says
Attempts to decipher a message, reflecting a struggle for understanding.
No one really ever cares what "Thug Life" means
Comments on the irony of people's disregard for the meaning of symbols.
They wanna be surrounded but they hate to breathe
Describes a desire for company while expressing discomfort in close quarters.
The air is thick as I plan my escape
Plans an escape, suggesting a need for personal space and freedom.
All I ever wanted was a chance for myself
Reiterates the central theme of desiring personal opportunities and chances for oneself.
Comment